CHONPS + H₂O

• Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Sulfur 
• Trace amounts of potassium and sodium
• Other minerals

1. Totals solids separated into volatile and fixed
2. Volatile represent organic matter, fixed are inorganic or ash
3. Can also be broked into suspended and dissolved
4. Suspended represent particulate matter, dissolved are in a true chemical solution
5. settleable solids will settle by gravity in a quiescent zone

1. Pollution Strength
2. Nitrogen
3. Phosphorous
4. pH

Chemical Characteristics of Animal Waste

Pollution Strength

• COD: chemical oxygen demand: amount fo oxygen required to fully oxidize all reduced organic components in a waste sample

• BOD5 : Measure of amount of oxygen consumed in a 5 day incubation under standard conditions

              -Standard test for measuring pollution potential of waste

                  -The more oxygen required, the higher the pollution strength

Chemical Characteristics of Animal Waste

Nitrogen

1. buffer, toxic, plant nutrient, 4 forms (NH₃ , Organic N, NO₂^-, NO₃^-)
2. Organic N --> NH₃<--->NO₂^--->NO₃^-
3. Organic N: nitrogen chemically bound to organic cmpds (proteins, amino acids, urea)
4. Ammonia N: the lowest oxidized form of N. Generally the result of bacterial decomposition of organic matter. Fresh waste is high in organic N and low in NH₃. Swings the other way with age b/c of mineralization
5. Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen (TKN): sum of organic and mamonia nitrogen
6. Nitrite Nitrogen: 2nd oxidized level of N. Results from nitrification of NH₃. An intermediate in the formation of nitrate
7. Nitrate Nitrogen: highest oxidized level of N, formed by oxidation of nitrite. Very soluble and stable. Causes blue baby if present in drinking water greater than 50 mg /L
8. Total Nitrogen: Summation of N from all various N cmpds

Chemical Characteristics of Animal Waste

Phosphorous

1. Present in all biological material
2. Role is transger of energy in metabolic processes
3. Important in natural waters due to algae bloom stimulation
4. Can be measured as total phosphorous or soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP)

• SRP is fraction of P that can be directly uptaken by plant cells

Chemical Characteristics of Animal Waste 

pH

• Masure of Hydrogen ion (H⁺) concentration in water
• Indication of acid or basin condition of water
• Valuable information for anaerobic digestion